5 Ways After School Programs Can Help Kids To Maintain A Healthy Weight
Posted on: 28 June 2017
Unfortunately, childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Since the 1970's, the rate of childhood obesity has tripled. These days, parents need to do everything they can to ensure that their children avoid excessive weight gain and stay healthy.
Joining an after school program can be a great way to help your child maintain a healthy weight for the following five reasons:
They can encourage kids to exercise every day.
Physical activity is often an important part of an after school program, and kids who attend are likely to enjoy exercise on a regular basis. This is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle in your growing child and ensure that kids avoid problems caused by obesity like diabetes.
They keep kids from overeating after school.
Kids who don't participate in an after school activity are likely to go home and begin snacking on unhealthy and calorie-rich foods. On the other hand, kids who participate in an after school program will be engaged in activity and will avoid snacking.
Often, a child's snacking is a result of boredom. By filling up a kids schedule during the time outside of their school schedule, after school programs keep kids occupied and reduce boredom.
They can encourage kids' interest in community athletics.
Kids who participate in an after school program will socialize with other young people and may become encouraged through social interactions to join a community sports team. Participating in athletics is one of the best ways for kids to get exercise on a regular basis and stay healthy. Participation also makes exercising fun for kids so that they don't look on exercising as something tedious or difficult.
They can allow kids to enjoy healthy after school snacks.
A lot of after school programs will include a snack time that will provide kids with healthy foods rather than the junk foods that they might eat at home. With an after school program, you can be sure that your child's after school snacking is carefully monitored and formulated for health.
They can help teach kids discipline and encourage them to stick to a meal schedule.
Maintaining a healthy weight is all about discipline. Participation in an after school program is a great way to foster discipline in a child and to teach them to be regimented and conscientious in their everyday activities. This way, they'll avoid overeating and be inclined to exercise to improve their health as they get older.
Check with a place like Rainbow School, Inc for more information.
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